What are Cardiovascular Risk Factors?

Cigarette and tobacco smoke, high blood cholesterol, high blood pressure, physical inactivity, obesity and diabetes are the six major independent risk factors for coronary heart disease that you can modify or control. Let*s review some of the major modifiable risk factors for cardiovascular disease, as well as their complications, and treatments.

1.Diabetes Mellitus: Diabetes is the Number 1 risk factor for cardiovascular diseases.  If diabetes is left untreated, it can result in serious complications affecting the eyes and kidneys, hypertension, cerebrovascular disease (leading to stroke), coronary artery disease (leading to heart attack), and peripheral arterial disease (leading to amputation).  Treatment involves taking medications and checking the blood glucoses regularly, a strict diabetic diet, and exercise.

2.Tobacco Use: Use of tobacco can lead to cardiovascular diseases such as blood clots, hypertension, hypertension, cerebrovascular disease (leading to stroke), coronary artery disease (leading to heart attack), peripheral arterial disease (leading to amputation), and aneurysms.  The only way to avoid the complication associated with nicotine is to quit.

3.Hypertension is defined as a blood pressure greater than 140/90.  Pre-hypertension is a blood pressure of 120-139/80-89.  If you have pre-hypertension, you are likely to develop high blood pressure at some point. Complications of hypertension include kidney failure, heart failure (cardiomyopathy), arrhythmias,  cerebrovascular disease (leading to stroke), coronary artery disease (leading to heart attack), and sudden cardiac death. Treatment for hypertension includes medications, exercise, diet, and weight reduction.

4.Dyslipidemia is an abnormally amount of fatty substances in the blood. The accepted ranges the total cholesterol should be under 200 mg/dL.  A value over 200 mg/dL may indicate a greater risk for heart disease. However, LDL levels are a better predictor of heart disease and determine how your high cholesterol should be treated. How you are treated also depends on whether you have any of these additional risk factors for heart disease.  Treatment includes a diet high in whole grains, fruit and veggies, exercise, and medications.  Even if your cholesterol is normal, you may have been prescribed a specific kind of medication for cholesterol (called a statin) because these medications reduce the risk of adverse events such as heart attack and stroke.
 
5.Sleep Apnea is an abnormal breathing pattern where the individual stops breathing at frequent intervals in the night.  Symptoms include snoring at night, daytime sleepiness, fatigue, and decreased attention span. Sleep apnea leads to early heart disease.  A sleep study can confirm the diagnosis, and treatment involves weight loss, cessation of tobacco use, avoiding alcohol or sedative medications, and either a mouthpiece to adjust the jaw at night, an assistive mechanical breathing device known as a CPAP, or surgery.

6.Sedentary Lifestyles & Obesity decrease overall heath and fitness. The benefits of exercise are enormous, contributing to health by reducing the heart rate, decreasing the risk for cardiovascular disease, and reducing the amount of bone loss that is associated with age and osteoporosis. Physical activity also helps the body use calories more efficiently, thereby helping in weight loss and maintenance. It can increase basal metabolic rate, reduces appetite, and helps in the reduction of body fat. Modest low-impact exercise is best for seniors.  Exercise should be performed 30 minutes 3-5 times a week.